The market will dictate the price. If the price is being driven up, huge margins. Than more hybrids will be made to take advantage of the favorable margins. As the vehicles become more available a demand continues to grow, pricing will start to be more competitive. <br><br>Btw. I support a minimum of $2 dollar a gallon gasoline tax on top of what we are currently paying. Maybe even $three. As long as we give an equal amount of revenue back in an income tax cut. We are only going to get off the oil teet if one of two things happen. We run out, We artificially price it to make true economy a market force.<br><br>

Sorry. Diesel won't cut our emissions standards in most markets. Which I would absolutely love to have as an option. Both automative and marine uses, the power and longevity of a diesel is worth it.<br><br>

"You get best mileage for engine cruise rate in top gear. If you're driving a US car with 3 automatic gear, then that could very well be 55mph. If you're driving something like a BMW that could be somewhere around 65-75mph."<br><br>Right - <br><br>a Big SAAB Aero, in 6th gear. Never had it above 132. honestly officer...<br><br><br>The Bill of Rights doesn't grant us our rights, it merely enumerates them.

<br>That hasn't been true (with the emission standards) for quite some time.<br>VW and MB both meet and exceed even the most stringent standards here and there ... including micro particle emissions.<br><br>Stateside, Diesel has had a bad rap also because the quality of the fuel (mainly consistency) didn't measure up to what refineries in Europe have been producing for ages. Partly, because the demand has been so low .... vicious cycle thing.<br><br>But with growing concerns about fuel efficiency, as well as with Diesel's power curve, which generates far more useable grunt at the lower engine speeds where it is needed, both companies have plans to give it one more try. <br><br>Compared with hybrids, which do extract a penalty in driving fun, current A oder B-Class Mercedes (small minivan design) and VW Golf/Jetta are routinely running on 4-5l/100km (45mpg). That's without any fancy or costly technology in place and going with the flow on the Autobahn. The new BlueTec versions will reduce that to 50-60mpg.<br><br>One particular advantage of Diesel engines is that their consumption is more load dependent than that of gas engines .. one reason one sees so many trucks just idling at the rest stops. Clearly, this is idea for urban situations, where one often stands as much as one drives.<br><br>So, until some real alternative is found, Diesel represents the most sensible option.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>If you're driving a US car with 3 automatic gear, then that could very well be 55mph.<p><hr></blockquote><p><br>What is this, 1980? ;)<br><br>FWIW, my Altima gets it's best mileage at about 82. With the cruise engaged it picks up another 1-2 mpg. These results are from many scientific tests on the jersey turnpike. ;)<br><br><br>Hey I'm an F'n Jerk!®

My Saab 9-3 gets 34+ at around 75mph on cruise (28 hauling a 1000lb trailer). My wifes Grand Prix logs about 32 at 65mph. But I have a few extra gears over her car.<br><br>I used to think it was terrible that life was unfair. Then I thought what if life were fair and all of the terrible things that happen came because we really deserved them? Now I take comfort in the general unfairness and hostility of the universe.

_________________________I used to think it was terrible that life was unfair. Then I thought what if life were fair and all of the terrible things that happen came because we really deserved them? Now I take comfort in the general unfairness and hostility of the universe.

I don't know, I don't think I've ever driven 55. ;)<br><br>But yes, on trips up north I'd average about 32mpg when doing ~80. At 65 I would get only about 29.<br><br>At 55 I'd probably still be in 4th gear. :P<br><br><br>Hey I'm an F'n Jerk!®

Sarge and Eckhard... I do believe some cars do get better gas mileage at a faster speed ... but there is always a limit.<br><br>ie not all cars get the best at 55.... aerodynamic cars might get better at a slightly better speed, and the boxy ones worse !<br><br>no data on this... but I'm skeptic one speed fits all.<br>I realize for public policy they have to adopt one speed limit, but I think scientifically the most efficient speed depends on many things. With some of the boxy ones, 0 mph might be the best ! <br><br>David (OFI)

Basically what we're saying is that you want to cruise in top gear. For example in my car I can get same gallon per hour use at 35 & 48, but I'm in 3rd gear at 30 and 4th gear at 40 (same engine revs on level road). However at that rev point the engine is working, push up by about 15% and the engine is more comfortable (in the torque range) so consumption/hour decreases.<br><br>But each car has different point of cruise and different # gears. Incidently since diesels have a greater range (flatter) torque band they can pull comfortably at lower engine speeds, also helping their better mileage figures.<br><br>I used to think it was terrible that life was unfair. Then I thought what if life were fair and all of the terrible things that happen came because we really deserved them? Now I take comfort in the general unfairness and hostility of the universe.

_________________________I used to think it was terrible that life was unfair. Then I thought what if life were fair and all of the terrible things that happen came because we really deserved them? Now I take comfort in the general unfairness and hostility of the universe.

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